People often refer to full moons by certain names, such as Hunter Moon, Wolf Moon, or Harvest Moon. Most of these names date to a Native American origin and are used to describe the general conditions of that month.
Here are the common - and not so common - names associated with full moons.
January - "Wolf Moon" – so named because the wolf packs used to prowl and howl outside Indian villages in the snow. Other names for this moon have been the "Old Moon" and the "Moon After Yule."
February - "Snow Moon" – traditionally this is the heaviest snowfall month so native tribes of the north and east labeled it this way. Some tribes called it "Hunger Moon" since the harsh weather conditions hampered hunting. "Opening Buds Moon" has also been used.
March - "Worm Moon" – with warmer temperatures and thawing conditions, earthworms were visible, with robins not far behind. The more northern tribes called this the "Crow Moon" because the crows signaled the end of winter. Other names were the "Crust Moon" (from thaws during the day and refreezes at night), the "Sap Moon" or "Maple Sugar Moon" (for time to tap maple trees), and the "Lenten Moon" (called this by settlers as the last full moon of winter).
April - "Pink Moon" – from the pink ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names include the "Sprouting Grass Moon," "Moon of the Red Grass Appearing," "Egg Moon," "Fish Moon" (shad swam upstream to spawn), "Frog Moon," and "Planter's Moon."
May - "Flower Moon" – flowers are in full bloom everywhere. Other names include "Budding Moon" (for the flowers), "Corn Planting Moon," and "Milk Moon."
June - "Strawberry Moon" – called this nearly everywhere due to the short strawberry harvesting season. In Europe, it's called the "Rose Moon."
July - "Buck Moon" – the time when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the "Thunder Moon" because thunderstorms are frequent during this time. Other names are "Hay Moon" and "Blood Moon."
August - "Sturgeon Moon" – this name comes from fishing tribes since sturgeon, a large fish found in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. Other names for the moon are "Red Moon," because of its color as it rises, "Green Corn Moon" and "Grain Moon."
September - "Corn Moon" - the time when corn is harvested. However, the September full moon is usually the "Harvest Moon." Another name is "Fruit Moon."
October - "Harvest Moon" – the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It can occur in either September or October. This light allows farmers to work in their fields at night. October is usually the "Hunter's Moon" because more than not, the "Harvest Moon" is in September. Also called "Moon of Falling Leaves."
November - "Beaver Moon" – time when beavers are active preparing for winter and beaver traps were set before the ponds froze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. It is also called the "Frost/Frosty Moon."
December - "Cold Moon" or "Long Night/Nights Moon" - the nights are the longest, darkest, and coldest. It is also called the "Moon before Yule." This full moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.
"Blue Moon" - the second full moon in a month when it occurs. This does not happen ofter, hence the expression "once in a blue moon."
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